Mobile Content Venture (MCV) Announces Technology and Device Partnerships

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile Content Venture (MCV), a joint-venture comprising 12 major broadcast groups dedicated to developing a national mobile content service that delivers live television and on-demand video content, today announced two technology agreements with leading organizations in the mobile TV space, MobiTV and Nagra-Kudelski, as well as commitments from several manufacturers to create MCV-compatible devices.

Nagra-Kudelski, the world's leading independent provider of value-added content protection and multiscreen television solutions, will assist MCV in managing its standards-based conditional access, enabling broadcasters to encrypt content and evaluate numerous business models. Nagra-Kudelski will also facilitate a simple user registration process for consumers, who will be offered content on an advertising-supported basis at launch. Additionally, MCV has partnered with MobiTV, the leader in securely delivering media to mobile devices, to develop a number of consumer applications which will be available as part of the MCV consumer launch in late 2011. Using MobiTV's technology platform on Mobile DTV-enabled devices, consumers will be able to access video services and program information, for both live broadcast television and streaming video.

In addition to these initial technical partnerships, MCV has received commitments from several top hardware manufacturers, including Dell and Samsung, to deploy MCV-compatible devices with a Mobile DTV tuner to receive live broadcast television. Over the coming months, MCV expects to announce additional device manufacturer partnerships in line with the previously announced rollout in 20 markets in 2011.

"Our partnerships with MobiTV, Nagra, Dell and Samsung are a critical step in the growth of the platform. A vibrant mobile TV ecosystem needs broadcast services, consumer devices that comply with ATSC-Mobile standards, and the ability to enable multiple business models for content owners. MCV is thrilled to work with these industry leaders to make this ecosystem possible," Salil Dalvi, Co-GM of MCV and SVP at NBC Universal Digital Distribution and Erik Moreno, Co-GM of MCV and SVP at FOX said in a joint statement.

"Dell is committed to delivering the ultimate entertainment experience for its customers and has been an early mover in Mobile DTV," said John Thode, vice president of mobile for Dell. "We're looking at new ways to keep people connected to the news, sports and entertainment programming they love while using their Dell devices, and we're excited to be a part of this national mobile TV platform."

"Samsung is a global leader in offering the mobile TV experience to consumers. We are excited by the potential of mobile TV-enabled devices powered by Samsung's ATSC-Mobile DTV chipsets," said Gavin Kim, vice president, content services and enterprise mobility at Samsung Telecommunications America. "With Samsung's industry leading display technology, consumers will have access to the best experience in mobile entertainment on our premium devices. We are honored to be part of the MCV announcement at CES."

About Mobile Content Venture

Mobile Content Venture (MCV) is a joint-venture comprising 12 major broadcast groups, including Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media, all of which are part of the standalone entity known as Pearl Mobile DTV, LLC, as well as Fox, ION Television, and NBC. MCV aims to develop a new national mobile content service by utilizing existing broadcast spectrum to enable member companies to deliver content to mobile devices, including live and on-demand video, local and national news from print and electronic sources, as well as sports and entertainment programming.

SOURCE Mobile Content Venture